Product Field NotesHerb Plants
Sweet Marjoram: Oregano's Softer, Sweeter Cousin
Save
Sweet marjoram is the gentle member of the oregano family. It forms a dense, mounding plant of soft, gray-green, slightly hairy leaves on reddish stems, with a sweet, spicy flavor that is noticeably milder than oregano. In July and August it bears tiny white to pale pink flowers in little knot-like clusters.
It is a tender perennial, hardy only in zones 9a to 10b, so here in Michigan it is grown as an annual and replanted each spring.
Sweet marjoram at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Origanum majorana |
| Leaves | Gray-green, oval and softly hairy, about 1.25 inches |
| Flowers | White to pale pink, tiny, in knot-like clusters |
| Size | 12 to 24 inches tall and wide |
| Bloom | Starts early July, peaks late July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 9a to 10b; grown as an annual in zone 5-6 |
| Water | Low |
| Fragrance | Sweet and spicy, softer than oregano |
A good fit for the lavender bed
Unlike many tender herbs, sweet marjoram has strong heat and drought tolerance and rots in saturated soil. Those are lavender's conditions exactly, so you can plant it right in a sunny, well-drained lavender bed or a gravel herb garden without changing how you water.
Its gray-green foliage blends beautifully with silver lavender leaves, and its low, mounding shape fills gaps at the front of the bed, especially around young lavender plants that have not yet reached full size. In late summer, its small flowers give bees nectar after the lavender has been cut. Arrange your planting in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Timing: plant outdoors after the last frost. The Frost Date Estimator helps you pick the date.
- Soil: well drained, average to lean.
- Water: lightly once settled. Overwatering is a bigger risk than drought.
- Trimming: snip stems before the flowers open to keep the plant leafy and the flavor at its best.
- Window boxes and pots: its compact habit suits containers and edging.
- End of season: it does not survive winter outdoors, and potted plants brought inside usually do not overwinter well. Plan to start fresh each spring.
Cooking with marjoram
Harvest leaves before the flowers open. Use them fresh or dried in soups, stews, dressings, sauces, beef and poultry. Because it is milder and sweeter than oregano, marjoram works well where oregano would be too loud: scrambled eggs, mushroom dishes, white beans and herb butter. Add fresh leaves near the end of cooking to keep their delicate flavor.
To dry, cut stems before bloom, tie small bunches and hang them in a shaded, airy spot. Store the dry leaves in a sealed jar.
Sizes offered
Sweet marjoram comes as 3-inch plugs, 4-inch pots and 1-gallon pots. See the product page for current sizes and availability.
Frequently asked questions
Can I swap marjoram for oregano?
Yes, but expect a sweeter, milder result. Use a little more marjoram, or add it later in cooking.
Will marjoram come back next year?
Not in Michigan. It is hardy only in zones 9a to 10b, so it is grown as an annual here.
Share how it went in your field